.svg?v=50981554998986588401722501412)
Exploring the Depths: the Best Divers' Watches
Diving is one of those activities that calls for precision, reliability, and a sense of adventure. The same could be said for the watches designed to accompany you beneath the waves. Divers' watches have always held a special place in the horological world, combining rugged functionality with often understated elegance. Whether you're an experienced diver or just appreciate the engineering and aesthetic, there’s something undeniably captivating about a good dive watch. Today, we'll take a closer look at some of the best luxury divers' watches on the market, from the refined Grand Seiko Sport Collection to the robust TUDOR Pelagos, and everything in between.
What Is A Diver’s Watch?
A diver's watch is a specialised timepiece designed to withstand underwater exploration while providing critical functions to assist divers. At its core, a diver's watch must adhere to specific standards, such as those set by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO 6425), which outlines the requirements for water resistance, legibility, durability, and functionality underwater. Typically, a diver's watch will feature a robust, corrosion-resistant case, a unidirectional rotating bezel for tracking dive time, and luminous hands and markers for visibility in low-light conditions. Water resistance is a crucial feature, with most diver's watches being resistant to at least 200 meters, though some are built to withstand much greater depths. Beyond their technical attributes, diver's watches are also prized for their rugged aesthetics and reliability, making them popular not just among divers, but also among watch enthusiasts who appreciate their blend of form and function.
What Luxury Watch Brands Sell Divers’ Watches?
Brands such as Tudor, TAG Heuer, Bremont and Tissot sell divers’ watches. Here are some of the most popular:
Grand Seiko Divers' Watch from the Sport Collection
Grand Seiko might not be the first name that comes to mind when thinking about divers' watches, but the brand has carved out a niche with its impeccable craftsmanship and attention to detail. The Grand Seiko Divers' Watch from the Grand Seiko Sport Collection is a perfect example of this. This timepiece is built to withstand the toughest conditions while maintaining the brand’s signature style. With a 44.2mm case crafted from stainless steel, the watch is highly resistant to corrosion—an essential feature for a divers' watch that will spend time in salt water.
One of the standout features of the Grand Seiko Divers' Watch is its Spring Drive movement. This unique mechanism combines the best of both quartz and mechanical movements, offering incredible accuracy with a deviation of just one second per day. For divers, this level of precision can be critical when keeping track of time underwater. The watch is water-resistant to 200 meters, making it suitable for recreational diving. The unidirectional rotating bezel ensures that elapsed dive time can be tracked with ease, and the luminous hands and markers provide excellent legibility even in the dim light of the ocean’s depths.
TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional
TAG Heuer has been a staple in the dive watch market for decades, and the Aquaracer Professional is one of the brand’s flagship models. This watch is designed with both style and function in mind, making it a great choice for those who want a watch that can transition seamlessly from casual everyday to smart events to the ocean. The TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional features a 36mm to a 42mm stainless steel case that is both robust and stylish. The case is paired with a ceramic bezel, which is not only scratch-resistant but also adds a touch of luxury to the watch’s design. The bezel is unidirectional, ensuring that your dive time is always accurately tracked.
One of the key features of the TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional is its water resistance, which extends to 300 meters. This makes it suitable for a wide range of diving activities, from snorkelling to deep-sea exploration. The Aquaracer Professional dial is designed for maximum legibility, with large, luminous hands and markers that are easy to read in all conditions. The watch also includes a date function, which is a practical addition for those who plan to wear it as an everyday timepiece.
Bremont Supermarine Ocean
Bremont is a brand that has quickly gained a reputation for producing some of the most durable and dependable timepieces in the world. The Bremont Supermarine Ocean is no exception and is designed to be a serious tool watch for diving enthusiasts. Named after the British aircraft manufacturer, Supermarine, which produced the iconic Spitfire, this watch is built with the same commitment to precision and durability. The Supermarine Ocean features a 40mm stainless steel case that is both tough and corrosion-resistant. The case is treated with Bremont’s patented Trip-Tick construction, which enhances the watch’s durability and shock resistance.
What makes the Supermarine Ocean particularly appealing for divers is its water resistance of up to 500 meters, exceeding the typical requirements for recreational diving. The watch also boasts a helium escape valve, which allows it to withstand the extreme pressure changes that can occur during deep-sea diving. This feature is crucial for professional divers who spend extended periods underwater in pressurised environments. The unidirectional ceramic bezel is another highlight, offering scratch resistance and ensuring that your dive time is tracked accurately. The dial is easy to read, with Super-LumiNova coated hands and markers that shine brightly in low light. Powered by a modified automatic movement, the Supermarine Ocean delivers a power reserve of up to 50 hours depending on the model, ensuring it keeps ticking even on longer diving excursions.
Seiko Prospex
Are Seiko divers’ watches good? Yes, Seiko has a long history of producing reliable, affordable dive watches, and the Prospex line is one of the brand’s most popular collections. The Seiko Prospex is designed for professional use, offering robust features at a price point that is more accessible than many luxury brands. One of the notable models in the Prospex line is the Seiko Prospex “Turtle.” This watch gets its nickname from the cushion-shaped case, which resembles a turtle’s shell. The case is made from stainless steel and measures 45mm, making it a substantial presence on the wrist. However, the curved shape ensures that it fits comfortably, even on smaller wrists.
The Seiko Prospex is water-resistant to 200 meters, making it suitable for most recreational diving activities. It also features a unidirectional rotating bezel for tracking dive time, and the dial is equipped with Seiko’s Lumibrite coating, which provides excellent visibility in low-light conditions. What sets the Seiko Prospex apart from other dive watches in its price range is the quality of its movement. The watch is powered by Seiko’s in-house Caliber 4R36 automatic movement, which offers a 41-hour power reserve. This movement is both reliable and durable, making it a favourite among divers who need a watch they can trust.
Tissot Seastar
Tissot is known for producing high-quality watches at accessible price points, and the Seastar is a great example of this philosophy in action. The Tissot Seastar is a versatile dive watch that offers a lot of value for its price, making it a great choice for both novice divers and experienced enthusiasts. The Seastar features a 4mm stainless steel case with one 36mm model that is water-resistant to 300 meters. This level of water resistance makes it suitable for all low-level diving and most intense diving activities. The watch is also equipped with a unidirectional rotating bezel for tracking dive time. The bezel is made from ceramic, which is both durable and resistant to scratches.
A distinguishable feature of the Tissot Seastar is its movement. Some of the watches are powered by the Powermatic 80, an automatic movement that offers an impressive 80-hour power reserve. This means that the watch will continue to run for over three days without being worn, making it ideal for those who don’t wear the same watch every day. The dial of the Seastar is designed for clarity, with large, luminous hands and markers that are easy to read in low-light conditions. The watch also includes a date function, which is a useful feature for everyday wear. Overall, the Tissot Seastar offers a great balance of performance, style, and value.
TUDOR Pelagos
TUDOR has established itself as a powerhouse in the luxury dive watch market, and the Pelagos is one of the brand’s most impressive offerings. The TUDOR Pelagos is a professional-grade dive watch that combines cutting-edge technology with a classic dive watch design. The Pelagos features a 42mm titanium case, which makes it both lightweight and resistant to corrosion. This is paired with a ceramic bezel that is not only scratch-resistant but also adds a touch of modernity to the watch’s design. The bezel is unidirectional and features luminous markers, ensuring that your dive time can be tracked accurately even in low-light conditions.
One of the standout features of the TUDOR Pelagos is its water resistance, which extends to an incredible 500 meters. This makes it one of the most capable dive watches on the market, suitable for both recreational and professional diving. The watch also includes a helium escape valve, which is essential for deep-sea diving and ensures that the watch can withstand the pressure changes that occur during decompression. The TUDOR Pelagos is powered by the MT5612 movement, an in-house automatic movement that offers a 70-hour power reserve. This movement is COSC-certified, meaning it meets the highest standards of accuracy and reliability. The dial of the Pelagos is designed for maximum legibility, with large, luminous hands and markers that are easy to read in all conditions.
TUDOR also offers two variations of the Pelagos that we think are worth mentioning for their diving capabilities: the TUDOR Pelagos 39 and the TUDOR Pelagos FXD. The Pelagos 39 is a slightly smaller version of the original, featuring a 39mm case that is ideal for those with smaller wrists or those who prefer a more understated look. Despite its smaller size, it retains all the features that make the Pelagos such a great dive watch, including 200-meter water resistance and the COSC-certified movement. The Pelagos FXD, on the other hand, is designed specifically for military use. It features fixed strap bars for added security and is built to withstand the most extreme conditions. The FXD is a no-nonsense tool watch that embodies the spirit of the original Pelagos, making it a favourite among serious divers and military personnel alike.
Divers’ Watches At Deacons Jewellers
As luxury watch stockists for all of the above brands and more, we have a wide range of divers’ watches for you to choose from. Browse online or visit us in our Swindon store to explore one of these great divers’ watches or discover some of our other great luxury waterproof watches.
Whether you often go diving, are a regular at the local pool or simply appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into a high-quality timepiece, these luxury divers' watches offer the perfect blend of form and function. From the elegant Grand Seiko Sport Collection to the robust TUDOR Pelagos 39, each of these watches brings something unique to the table.
